“You're on mute”: English for video calls

The rule

Use short, fixed phrases for call problems: You're on mute. Can you hear me? You're breaking up. Can you see my screen? If you miss something, say Sorry, you cut out. Could you repeat that?

Learners often translate and say Your microphone is closed or Your voice is cutting. People on calls use a few set phrases, so these are understood at once, even on a bad line.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Sami, you're on mute.

B: Oh, sorry! Can you hear me now?

A: Yes, but you're breaking up a bit.

B: Is that better? Can you see my screen?

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. Karim, I can't hear you. ___
   • a) Your mic is closed.
   • b) You're on mute.
   • c) You're in mute.
2. Sorry, ___. Can you say that again?
   • a) you're breaking up
   • b) you're breaking down
   • c) your voice is cutting
3. Could you ___ your camera, please?
   • a) open
   • b) turn up
   • c) turn on

Tip

For the camera and microphone, say turn on and turn off, not open and close: Could you turn on your camera? After a problem, restart with Sorry, where was I?

Answers

1. b) You're on mute. We say on mute, with on.
2. a) you're breaking up. Breaking up means the sound keeps cutting out.
3. c) turn on. Turn on a camera; turn up the volume.

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